Australia
The 10 most beautiful libraries in the world
Some libraries aren’t just places to borrow books — they’re destinations with deep history and architecture that tell stories beyond the pages. The 1000 Libraries Awards 2025 highlights some of the most beautiful libraries and bookstores globally, according to 200,000 online voters. The organization, 1000 Libraries, began as a blog and has since grown into […]
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Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors assess U.S.’ 15% tariffs on South Korea; await Bank of Japan’s rate decision
Asia-Pacific markets start the day mixed Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Thursday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark moved up 0.21% while the broader Topix index ticked up 0.28%, as of 8.10 a.m. Singapore time (8.10 p.m. ET Wednesday). In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 0.14% while the small-cap Kosdaq was flat. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark fell […]
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Asia-Pacific markets poised for mixed open as traders await details of U.S-China talks
Here are the opening calls for the day Good morning from Singapore. Investors will be keeping a close watch on Chinese markets following reports that the country will resume trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm on Monday to discuss longstanding economic disputes. The talks will be led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese […]
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Private credit giants turn to Asia as funding gap widens in region
The private credit industry is ramping up its focus on Asia-Pacific, drawn by a combination of evolving capital markets and expanding funding gaps as traditional bank lending pulls back. The region is also fast emerging as a focal point for private credit investors seeking fresh opportunities outside of the more saturated markets of the U.S. […]
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New entrance fee to visit Europe set to triple, says European Commission
Some travelers may need to pay more to enter parts of Europe come 2026. The price for travel authorization under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is set to nearly triple, according to an announcement from the European Commission Friday. The system, known as ETIAS, hasn’t been implemented yet. The authorization, which was adopted in […]
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Asia markets set to open mixed as investors assess trade developments, await China benchmark rates
Here are the opening calls for the day Good morning from Singapore. Investors will be keeping a close watch on the People’s Bank of China’s decision on its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for July expected later in the day. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,883, pointing to a stronger open compared […]
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Asia-Pacific markets mostly fall as investors assess Japan’s trade data and Trump’s plans for Powell
Singapore stocks extend rally to hit fresh all-time highs Singapore’s 30-stock benchmark Straits Times Index extended its winning run for a ninth consecutive day, hitting a fresh all-time high of 4,154.13 earlier in the session. Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Straits Times Index Chinese and Hong Kong stocks rise in early trade Chinese and Hong […]
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Asia-Pacific markets set to open lower as investors assess Trump’s 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico
Asia-Pacific markets open mixed Asia-Pacific markets started the day mixed Monday. As of 8.10 a.m. Singapore time, Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark lost 0.33% while the broader Topix index ticked down 0.21%. In South Korea, the Kospi index was up 0.22% while the small-cap Kosdaq moved up 0.19%. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark was down 0.1%. — […]
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Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed after Trump rules out tariff deadline extension
Copper falls on Trump’s impending 50% tariffs Copper wires at a recycling facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, US, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Niki Chan Wylie | Bloomberg | Getty Images Copper prices slipped on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on exports of the metal to the U.S. The three-month […]
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Australia unexpectedly holds policy rate as it awaits more inflation data
The Reserve Bank of Australia building in Sydney on May 2, 2022. Brendon Thorne | Bloomberg | Getty Images Australia’s central bank held its policy rate at 3.85%, saying it needed more time to assess inflation data. Economists polled by Reuters had been expecting a cut of 25 basis points to 3.6%. In its statement […]
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